For a music CD:
- What was your overall reaction when listening? If it was powerfully positive or negative, that may be a good place to begin if that wasn’t already in your hook.
- Is there an overall theme that is explored through each song? Is it compelling, making you stop and think about important issues...or is it trite, becoming mind-dulling by the end. (You can integrate both good/bad and like/dislike here, but remember that the good/bad usually comes first - that creates the context into which you can introduce your personal opinions.)
- If there’s a broad social theme (anti-war, love & relationships, society), does the music say something new and different? Does it make you consider these themes in a new way? Or is just another social commentary you’ve heard before.
- How does this CD fit within the history of the group’s other CDs or music? Is their music always within the same format and formula? Are they breaking new ground? Going back to tried and true formulas that are interesting and fun but not particularly noteworthy?
- Which songs blew your mind (and why - be analytical even though you’re talking about an emotional experience) and which made you want to blow your brains out?
- Compare the musical genre to similar artists and the kind of work they’re doing? Be critical and analytical in your judgments. Explain why one is better than the other (although this is a place where you can also talk about what you personally like.)
- The order of songs is always important as artists try to create an overall impression. Does it work or not and why?
- Given the genre, how good is the music and what makes it that way? What about the lyrics? Are they powerful, traditional, inane...and again, why?
- How well does the band play together? Is it a seamless, tight performance where the musicians are in synch - or is it ragged and almost amateurish? Is there one musician who is particularly good or bad?
- How are the production values, the mixing, the sound quality?
- Is there anything about the musicians’ personal lives that’s relevant? Is the first CD in a long time? Why? Do they have a new member in the band, and what effect did that have on the overall performance?
- Is there anything about when the band goes on tour that’s relevant to this CD?
- Finally, after examining all the pieces, is this an important CD? You may begin your review with your assessment, but you’re going to have to support that judgment with critical analysis.
Article comments
1 - jonas
this article is great help thanks!!